TIMARU.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1414, 17 June 1865, Page 5

TIMARU.

The Herald of the 14th instant has the following:—

The South*:lew Kajmvay.—ln the discussion oil the Southern .Railway question, which we gave last week, we fire 'gla'd to find the Secretary for Public Works distinctly stating that no reserves will be made on account of this railway ; and that the quantity of land appropriated will be only in its fair proportion to the other pay men t« for work performed. This does away with many of the rumours which have been spread abroad respecting the use which it was said the Government intended to make of this contract to prevent the squatters in the South from agitating for separation. We scarcely thought that any government would have dared to attempt to coerce men in this colony by holding over them a threat that if they attempted to obtain self-govern-ment, they should be ruined by having their runs spoilt. As we now understand this contract, but little mischief can be done for many months. We confess we should like to know the arguments urged by other members of the Executive to convince Mr. llolleston of the justice—we were going to say —of making these payments in land. The Secretary for Public Works ever persistently avers that this district will certainly separate from the North when a sufficient number of signatures can be obtained Was it hinted to Mr. Rolleston that this was their last chance of getting a full squeeze out of the Southern orange ?

Tiie Telegkaph.—We are glad to learn that a gentleman has at length been sent down here to complete arrangements for the working of the telegraph. We have been lately somewhat tantalised by knowing that the electric wires were being freely worked and flashing messages backwards and forwards between Bunedin and Christchurch, while we had to wait the arrival of the newspapers from either end to learn the intelligence they conveyed. However, Mr. Fisher's arrival is a step in advance, and we hope shortly to be able to furnish our readers with telegraphic communication at least twice a week.

The Julia Ann.—This vessel had lately an uncomfortably long voyage from Lyttelton to this port. Captain Marshall left Port Cooper on the 12th of May, and arrived off Timaru on the 16th, when he was caught in the gales that seemed generally to prevail about that time, and was driven towards Cook's Straits. The captain says that all the time he has been on the coast he never experienced such heavy weather. During the gale one of his compasses broke, and the other not being true, the captain had to keep clear of the coast till the gale abated. This little craft must be a safe sailer to have escaped destruction when so many large ones have gone to grief, and great praise is due to Captain Marshall for his careful navigation. He thinks it highly probable that the City of Dunedin foundered in the gale.

Entrances fob the Timjlbu Derby.— We give the following list of entrances to the above stake for the years 1866-7-8. We regret not to have to record a better prospect for the lovers of this sport, as the prize is really worth competing for. For 1866: —Mr. Studholme's b g by Malton, dam Eleanor ; Mr. W. H. Harris's ch fby Malton, dam Spray ; Mr. W. H. Harris's b g by the Peer, dam Ada ; Mr. W. R. Scott's ch f by Malton, dam Rona. For 1867 : —Mr. M. Studholme's b f by Malton, dam Eleanor ; Mr. W. H. Harris' ch g by Malton, dam Ada. For 1868 —Mr. M. Studholme's ch f by Malton, dam Eleanor ; Mr.W. H. Harris' br g by Bay Camden, dam Ada. A Phoca. —On the morning of Monday, June 5, a seal was killed by Mr. Crawley, on the South road, near the Washdyke. Mr. Crawley was travelling in Messrs. Cobb and Co's coach, and as the Washdyke was approached something singular, both in shape and motion, was observed going along the road. A gentleman on the coach thought it was two pigs hobbling along in close proximity. However, as they neared the object, it was soon discovered to be a seal, which must have wandered nearly a mile from its marine residence, and was evidently undergoing some mental anxiety as to the return route. The coach was stopped, when Mr. Crawley descended, and arming himself with a lengthy iron bar, succeeded, notwithstanding the hideous looks and furious attempts to bite of the monster, in delivering a well-aimed blow on the snout, which quickly quieted him. The arrival of the dead body in this town by the next day's coach created great excitement. It was a specimen of the common seal, and measured about seven feet.

Fire—An attempt was made on Wednesday night last, or early the following morning, to set fire to the shop and premises adjoining to the Queen's Hotel, Timaru, and two men have been apprehended on suspicion of being concerned in the affair. The men in question went into the Queen's Hotel the previous evening and demanded some grog, which the landlord (Mr. Butter worth) refused to supply; they then threatened to do for him, or else to burn him out. On Thursday morning the windows of the shop lately occupied by Mr. D. Salomon were observed to be broken and the blinds gone; and on making an examination the blinds were found to have been burnt, and the ceiling of the shop very much charred with the fire, and how the premises escaped is almost a miracle. The proprietor of the shop in question, some six or seven months ago, compounded with his creditors, and his effects were put into the hands of Mr. Seager, receiver to the Bankruptcy Court, Christchurch, for sequestration. The shop was closed and the goods removed to a store in the town, at which place they were to be sold at some early date. An advertisement has appeared from time to time in our columns Baying that they would be offered for sale, but nothing has been done as yet; the shop is tying idle and unoccupied, consequently, getting out of repair. The rent is Btill going on, although the landlord has offered to take the shop from the receiver. This surely ought not to be the case; but certainly the present law of Debtor and Creditor is very difficult to understand—in more ways than one. Levels Road Boabd.—We understand from some statistical information which has been obtained and forwarded to Mr. Wilkin at the request of that gentleman —that out of the £1200 set apart by the Government for the use of the Levels District, that something over £1100 has been expended. Out of this latter sum the large*amount of £800 and some odd has been spent on the Main South lioad, and only about £300 on the district roads. There are seventeen milesof this main thoroughfare in the Levels District, and it is purely absurd to expect that this long line of road can be kept in repair out of the funds appropriated by the Council. Unless some special provision is made for the

main line of road running through this southern district, it is folly to expect that any of the purely district roads can be opened up.